Nashik civic body to float third bid to conduct property survey

Representative imageNASHIK: The lack of response to tenders has further delayed the survey of property in the city by a private agency, prompting the civic body to float bids for the third time.

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had floated tenders to conduct the survey and recover maximum property tax. But there was no response as the minimum rate quoted by an agency was 48.50% more than the NMC's rate. The tenders were invited again but there was no response for the second time, too. Under such circumstances, the NMC has now prepared the third proposal.

The NMC has a record of 4,15,744 properties in the city. Taking into account that the city with a population of 17.5 lakh should have at least five lakh properties, the civic body decided to conduct the survey through private agencies.

The survey was supposed to begin in June-July. But after the tenders were opened, only three agencies qualified for the bidding and the minimum quotation was found 48.50% more than what the NMC had quoted. It had requested the agency to reduce its price. The agency, however, slashed the price by only Rs 4. After negotiating, the quotation was brought down. But it was still 43% more than the NMC rate.

"Three agencies responded the first time, while there was no response the second time. We will inviting the tender once again," deputy municipal commissioner Rohidas Dorkulkar said.

The last property survey in the city was done in 1999. In 2012, the then municipal commissioner had planned to carry out a complete property survey of the city. The plan saw no progress as the official was transferred.

In the meantime, water reading by a private agency will have to wait for some more time as the administration is awaiting the resolution of the general body. The private agency will check the faulty meters and replace those.

"The proposal to appoint a private agency for water meter reading was raised at the general body meeting. We are waiting for the resolution, after which we can float the tender. The agency will not only read the water meters but will also replace the non-functioning ones," Dorkulkar said.

Currently, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied at 12 per cent on payments made for under-construction property or ready-to-move-in flats where completion certificate has not been issued at the time of sale.